Healthcare buildings

With Africa’s population expected to double by 2050, the continent is faced with major challenges. The healthcare infrastructure deficit is but one of these. Saint-Gobain caters for current and future needs in healthcare in both the private and public sector.

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, between 550 000 and 650 000 new hospital beds will need to be supplied in the next ten years across Africa.

Associated demographic challenges influence the outlook in other ways too:

Africa has a relatively young population with a higher demand for quality (healthcare included).

There is a need for universal access to quality infrastructure and services.

Rapid urbanisation is increasing the pressure on the larger cities.

Costs for the provision of basic healthcare services are rising.

The policy and regulatory landscape is changing.

Socio-economic factors play a big role.

The above challenges present a major opportunity to develop and establish more suitable, responsive and flexible healthcare facilities that will cater for current and future needs, in both in the private and the public sector.

For a comfortable experience in healthcare buildings

Thermal comfort

Saint-Gobain understands healthcare facilities as not merely buildings that accommodate medical staff and patients. Healthcare facilities have a role to play in the holistic healing process and in the wellbeing of healthcare professionals.

Full operation of these facilities, which generally entails around the clock, ongoing occupancy

Optimally functional operation without major disruptions; and

Responsiveness to ongoing and changing healthcare requirements.

Saint-Gobain provides comfort and wellbeing in healthcare facilities.

The building sector has tremendous potential for energy savings, provided the objective of low energy consumption for any new construction project is considered from inception.

With Saint-Gobain solutions, the performance of the envelope (floors, walls, ceilings and services) of the building can be optimised. These include:

Drywall systems that provide enhanced thermal performance to the building envelope, which supports the thermal comfort of the occupants. The thermal conductivity of plasterboard is up to four times less than that of brickwork.

Solar control glass and window films that can either let sun radiation enter the building or block it out.

Interior and exterior insulation materials, such as mineral wools, that help to reduce heat losses or gains.

ETICS systems that provide active insulation by minimising heatflow through walls and around windows, doors and other openings while cutting energy consumption and CO² emissions from heating and cooling.

Vapour control membranes that prevent humidity from entering the building.

Renders that help reduce humidity transfer from the outside and improve insulation.

Waterproofing roof solutions that are solar reflective, for cooler roofs and an overall reduction in a building’s heat gain.

Acoustic comfort

Noise is a real challenge for healthcare facilities. It can come from external or internal sources (medical equipment, staff, visitors and vehicular traffic). By disrupting the quality of sleep and rest of patients, noise can affect their recovery time.

For caregivers, noise can affect memory and the cognitive functions necessary to process complex information, particularly in the case of teamwork or situations requiring effective verbal communication. Acoustic comfort in hospitals can help reduce the stress levels of medical staff and patients.

Materials that provide sound insulation from external noise, such as glass in windows and facades.

Insulating materials that can effectively attenuate noise, such as specially designed plasterboards and drywall systems, acoustic ceilings and glasswool insulation, all of which help to reduce airborne and impact noises inside the building.

Absorbing materials that reduce reverberation within a space and enhance acoustic ambience. This can be achieved through Saint-Gobain acoustic ceilings or wallpanels, or a combination of the two.

ETICS systems that improve thermal insulation and acoustic values as an alternative to conventional building systems.

• Acoustic drainage systems that dampen the sound of drainage water and transit.

Did you know ?

The time patients spend in hospital can be reduced by 30% by reducing noise levels to allow better recovery. This can be achieved by applying superior acoustic walls, ceilings and windows, as well as high performance drainage systems.

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Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat and construction markets, designs, manufactures and distributes building and high-performance materials, providing innovative solutions to the challenges of growth, energy efficiency and environmental protection.